A unique Protestant service took place in Dublin yesterday when Orangemen from the Republic held a service to commemorate Reformation Day for what is believed to be the first time.
On October 31st 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the parish church at Wittenberg in Germany, a date generally seen as the historic beginning of the Reformation.
The service took place at Bewleys Hotel in Ballsbridge and was attended by approximately 30 members of the Dublin and Wicklow Orange Lodge.
Also present were the Donegal County Grand Master David Mahon and the Cavan County Grand Master Henry Latimer.
Attempts to have the service held in mainstream Protestant churches in Dublin were unsuccessful. In 1795 the Orange Order was founded in Dublin, where the Grand Lodge was first opened on Dawson Street in 1798.
Church of Ireland minister Rev Stanley Gamble, curate at the Newtownbreda parish in Belfast, officiated at the service with Presbyterian minister and former education convenor of the Orange Order, Rev Brian Kennaway, delivering the homily.
The Dublin Conservative Club choir also took part.